Mobile/cell phone technology - listening device - authorities spying on us

Every day you can see the average person going about there own business talking on their mobile (cell) phone, texting a friend or simply carrying their phone which is switched off.

As most people would know, law enforcement agencies such as the police and intelligence agencies such as the CIA can monitior and record telephone conversations. But the question is: What else can they do with our mobile phones?

Well, start considering the following. Its not far fetched and those that doubt what I'm about to say may be a little naive.

Obviously all mobile phones transmit from the handset to the mobile phone network and convey what we say, type or what our cameras are recording. It is one thing for law enforcement and intelligence agencies to intercept our transmissions but its another for them to spy on us when we are not using our phones.

How would they do that you ask? Think about this. Each phone has a microphone which transmits to the network via the handset. The battery is the power source which is nearly always in the handset (rarely do people take the battery out of the phone). So whilst the battery is inserted and the phone is switched on you have a nice little 'listening device' or, to use another word, a 'bug'.

Look at it this way. Your phone is turned on and connected to a mobile phone network. Its sitting on your coffee table next to your wallet and house keys. Your a person of interest to an intelligence agency such as the CIA. They remotely activate your phone's microphone which receives what you are saying in the vicinity of the phone. As the phone is on and connected to a network, what you say is transmitted from your phone to those that are listening. It doesnt matter that you havent dialled anyone or your phone doesnt appear to be doing anything. Thats the whole idea!

To take this a step further, most mobile phones have cameras built into them. Using the same means, everything taking place in view of the camera lense can be observed by 'big brother'.

Have a think about the information you have in your mobile phone. Names, numbers, pictures, videos, appointment times, personal notes etc. All of that can be remotely transmitted through the airwaves to those interested in it.

This information is not meant to suggest that we are all being spyed on because that is just stupid. Government agencies just dont have the resources and funding to achieve that. Besides most of us dont engage in activities that interest law enforcement and intelligence agencies. But for those that do, the means are in place to investigate and monitor such activities.

You may also wish to think about 'Bluetooth' technology and how files can be transmitted from phone to phone. Thats another example of how mobile phones have the ability to facilitate information exchange.

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